By Jacob Norling
February 23, 2021
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Hope International had no answer for Westmont on Tuesday night, as the Warriors routed the Royals 130-85, in the first of three games between the schools this week.
 
Following tip-off, Hope International opened the scoring, and held the lead for eleven seconds. Then, the floodgates opened for Westmont, who quickly took control and put up historic numbers in Murchison Gym.
 
The Warriors came out hot in the first half, shooting 67% from the field and nine of 12 from 3-point range, allowing them to carry a 59-25 lead at halftime. Then, in the second half, a depleted Royals' squad traveling with a short bench had no way to slow down the Warriors offense, who added an additional 71 points.
 
Ajay Singh led the way with his finest performance in a Westmont uniform, collecting a double-double and bullying his way past the Royals defense. Singh scored 34 points and collected 10 rebounds, both of which were season highs, while also shooting 13 of 16 from the field. Even with pressure from the Royals inside, Singh was able to finish time and time again in the paint, while also converting a season-high seven free-throws in eight attempts.
 
Singh was one of three Warriors to earn a double-double, joining Cade Roth and Tyler Austin. Roth had a near triple-double, collecting 14 points and 12 assists to go along with 8 rebounds, while Austin added an additional 10 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Westmont flirted with history in the final minutes, unknowingly chasing a single-game record of 131 points, which was set back in 1977. Westmont sat at 129 points with 40 seconds left, and had a chance to tie the record when Noah Fernando went to the free-throw line to shoot two. Fernando missed the first free-throw, taking any drama away from the second shot, which he converted for Westmont's final point of the evening.
 
Westmont's 130 points is the most the Warriors have scored this century, taking over the second-highest game total which was set at 126 back in 2015.
 
In regards to the historical offensive display, head coach Landon Boucher said, "We knew it was going to be a shootout going in, and for the most part our guys worked hard to get each other shots, instead of looking for their own shots."
 
Westmont also utilized their last home game of the regular season to celebrate senior Gyse Hulsebosch. Hulsebosch has been a fan-favorite in his four years at Westmont, widely due to his knack for converting on long-range 3-pointers at an impressive clip.
With the Warriors leading 16-9, Hulsebosch nailed his first 3-point attempt of the night, well beyond the arc, to stretch the Warrior's lead to ten early. Gyse then followed that up with a pair of nearly identical shots, perhaps ten feet beyond the top of the key, to give the Warriors a 29-15 lead with 8:42 left in the period. 
 
Hulsebosch started four of four from beyond the arc, and collected 14 points in the first half alone, just one shy of his season high. Hulsebosch ultimately finished with a season high of 20 points, shooting six of seven from 3-point range. Hulsebosch ended the evening with a 3-point shooting percentage above fifty percent (.613) for the season, as he attempts to achieve the feat for the second-consecutive year.
 
Hulsebosch has been a sharpshooter his entire Westmont career, experiencing the highest of his successes during the memorable 2019-20 season. During his junior year, Hulsebosch shot 50% (55-110) from three, which was the second best in the NAIA, and third best for any single season in Westmont history. 
 
Coach Boucher proudly claimed, "Gyse is one of the best shooters in Westmont basketball history, and on top of that, one of the deepest shooters in Westmont history, which he proved tonight. Other than just hitting shots, he's stretching the defense, and helping our offense get some room to breathe."
 
Hulsebosch turned in his most impressive game of the season against the Royals for the second consecutive year, as he scored a career-high 21 points, while also shooting seven of eight from 3-point range against Hope International a year ago.
 
The Warriors conclude their regular season with another pair of games against Hope International, with the next two taking place in Fullerton on Friday and Saturday. 
 
When asked what he hopes to see from his team in the remainder of the series, Boucher said, "We're trying to build momentum on the idea of playing for each other. Tonight was about playing for the seniors, and playing for Gyse, and come Friday we'll be looking to keep that going."
 
As with Westmont, spectators will not be admitted to the games at Hope International, due to both local and state mandates. However, fans can follow live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hiu/ on the Hope International website.